Investigating the scour at piers of successive bridges with debris accumulation
Abstract Bridge scour around piers and abutments poses a significant threat to bridge stability, particularly in dynamic river environments like the Tigris River in Baghdad. This study aims to investigate the combined effects of successive bridges and debris accumulation on scour depth using HEC-RAS...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43065-025-00138-y |
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| author | Mahmoud Saleh Al-Khafaji Layth Abdulameer Aysar Tuama Al-Awadi Najah M. L. Al Maimuri Ahmed N. Al-Dujaili |
| author_facet | Mahmoud Saleh Al-Khafaji Layth Abdulameer Aysar Tuama Al-Awadi Najah M. L. Al Maimuri Ahmed N. Al-Dujaili |
| author_sort | Mahmoud Saleh Al-Khafaji |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Bridge scour around piers and abutments poses a significant threat to bridge stability, particularly in dynamic river environments like the Tigris River in Baghdad. This study aims to investigate the combined effects of successive bridges and debris accumulation on scour depth using HEC-RAS numerical simulations, with a focus on the Al-Sarafiya Bridge. The methodology integrated topographic, hydraulic, and sediment data to develop and calibrate a 1D HEC-RAS model based on a previously conducted study. Six scenarios were analyzed, including single and successive bridges with and without debris, under varying discharge conditions (490 m³/s to 3050 m³/s). The results revealed that an upstream bridge reduces scour depth at downstream piers by 30–40%, highlighting the protective role of hydraulic interactions between successive structures. Debris accumulation significantly increased contraction scour due to flow constriction, with scour depths rising by up to 40.5% under high discharge, but had minimal impact on pier scour, which remained dominated by localized vortices. The study validated HEC-RAS as a reliable tool for scour prediction, with results closely aligning with empirical data. Key findings include: (1) Successive bridges alter flow patterns, reducing downstream pier scour by 30–40%; (2) Debris exacerbates contraction scour but has negligible effects on pier scour; (3) HEC-RAS simulations provided accurate scour depth predictions, supporting its use in bridge design and maintenance. These insights underscore the importance of integrated hydraulic modeling for multi-bridge systems and debris management to mitigate scour risks. The study contributes to safer bridge design in complex river systems, offering practical strategies for long-term stability. Future research should explore debris properties and bridge configurations to refine scour mitigation approaches further. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-73800c988a6b4fdaaed5cd22df8fb1db |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-2521 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience |
| spelling | doaj-art-73800c988a6b4fdaaed5cd22df8fb1db2025-08-20T04:01:52ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience2662-25212025-07-016111810.1186/s43065-025-00138-yInvestigating the scour at piers of successive bridges with debris accumulationMahmoud Saleh Al-Khafaji0Layth Abdulameer1Aysar Tuama Al-Awadi2Najah M. L. Al Maimuri3Ahmed N. Al-Dujaili4Department of Water Resources, College of Engineering, University of BaghdadDepartment of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of KerbalaDepartment of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of KerbalaBuilding and Construction Technologies Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Engineering Technologies, Al-Mustaqbal UniversityPetroleum Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of TechnologyAbstract Bridge scour around piers and abutments poses a significant threat to bridge stability, particularly in dynamic river environments like the Tigris River in Baghdad. This study aims to investigate the combined effects of successive bridges and debris accumulation on scour depth using HEC-RAS numerical simulations, with a focus on the Al-Sarafiya Bridge. The methodology integrated topographic, hydraulic, and sediment data to develop and calibrate a 1D HEC-RAS model based on a previously conducted study. Six scenarios were analyzed, including single and successive bridges with and without debris, under varying discharge conditions (490 m³/s to 3050 m³/s). The results revealed that an upstream bridge reduces scour depth at downstream piers by 30–40%, highlighting the protective role of hydraulic interactions between successive structures. Debris accumulation significantly increased contraction scour due to flow constriction, with scour depths rising by up to 40.5% under high discharge, but had minimal impact on pier scour, which remained dominated by localized vortices. The study validated HEC-RAS as a reliable tool for scour prediction, with results closely aligning with empirical data. Key findings include: (1) Successive bridges alter flow patterns, reducing downstream pier scour by 30–40%; (2) Debris exacerbates contraction scour but has negligible effects on pier scour; (3) HEC-RAS simulations provided accurate scour depth predictions, supporting its use in bridge design and maintenance. These insights underscore the importance of integrated hydraulic modeling for multi-bridge systems and debris management to mitigate scour risks. The study contributes to safer bridge design in complex river systems, offering practical strategies for long-term stability. Future research should explore debris properties and bridge configurations to refine scour mitigation approaches further.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43065-025-00138-yBridge scourSuccessive bridgesDebris accumulationHEC-RASNumerical simulationTigris river |
| spellingShingle | Mahmoud Saleh Al-Khafaji Layth Abdulameer Aysar Tuama Al-Awadi Najah M. L. Al Maimuri Ahmed N. Al-Dujaili Investigating the scour at piers of successive bridges with debris accumulation Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience Bridge scour Successive bridges Debris accumulation HEC-RAS Numerical simulation Tigris river |
| title | Investigating the scour at piers of successive bridges with debris accumulation |
| title_full | Investigating the scour at piers of successive bridges with debris accumulation |
| title_fullStr | Investigating the scour at piers of successive bridges with debris accumulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating the scour at piers of successive bridges with debris accumulation |
| title_short | Investigating the scour at piers of successive bridges with debris accumulation |
| title_sort | investigating the scour at piers of successive bridges with debris accumulation |
| topic | Bridge scour Successive bridges Debris accumulation HEC-RAS Numerical simulation Tigris river |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43065-025-00138-y |
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